Bayonetta 3 in the "final stages" of development

Bayonetta 3
(Image credit: PlatinumGames)

Bayonetta 3 is in the "final stages" of development according to PlatinumGames.

Following Bayonetta 3's long-awaited reappearance yesterday at Nintendo's Direct presentation on September 23, game director Yusuke Miyata published a letter on the official website of PlatinumGames. Miyata explains that this is actually his first time working on the Bayonetta series, so he's replayed all the games and re-read all related comics extensively over the last few years, also getting into "deep discussions" with Hideki Kamiya.

"We’re in the home stretch of development right now, working on making the core of the game even more fun and test playing nonstop," Miyata writes near the conclusion of the letter. "As the culmination of this series loved by all of you, we’re giving our all to make it a masterpiece worth of the name Bayonetta so please wait and anticipate just a bit longer!"

Bayonetta 3 closed out the Nintendo Direct September yesterday as the bombshell reveal. After first being announced all the way back in 2017, PlatinumGames has gone radio silent on the sequel ever since, with development staff occasionally popping up to reassure fans that the sequel was still in active development and progressing well.

Now, all that waiting has paid off, as Bayonetta 3 is back in action. Yesterday's new trailer debuted a new look for the titular witch, and showed off a new art direction and combat moves. The new trailer rounded out by revealing a Bayonetta 3 release date of 2022 for the highly anticipated sequel, so rest assured that you won't be waiting another four years to get your hands on Bayonetta's new adventure.

Check out all the other games coming to Nintendo's console with our upcoming Switch games guide for more.

Hirun Cryer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.